[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—Mr. Kittermaster refers to
sexual and many other feelings which he seems to connect with beating. I presume that he has beaten a boy many times in his experience. I also presume, then, that he has had these same feelings? And when he was beaten as a boy, did he have "his sex instincts prematurely and twistedly aroused by being caned "? Is he any the worst for it now? '
I am a prefect and 1 am now writing in my study at school; but, in spite of the fact that I have been caned several times, I refuse to admit that my springs of rational thinking have dried up. I read the article to many members of the sixth form and provided them with much amusement. I think they are the ones to judge about beatings, the average Public School boy. Further, the article states that, having been beaten, one desires to mete out the measure wherewith one is measured. Personally, I should avoid beating anyone (not that I am allowed to, for only six school prefects are allowed to beat), since I should be afraid of missing, or of beating too softly, or of something of that fashion.
There are some exceptions to every case, and even Mr. Kittermaster's article may be applied to some boys. But such boys should never be at a Public School.
Furthermore, may I add that I have learnt several things from this article which I never knew before?—I am, yours
truly, GUY S. ROBERTS. Trent College, Long Eaton, Notts.
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